It’s time for chili. Sedona Area Veteran and Community Outreach will host its free “Chili Cookoff for Our Heroes” nonprofit open house and chili cookoff at the Sedona Elks Lodge on Thursday, June 12, from 6 to 8 p.m.
“Hopefully attendees will walk away at the end after they’ve met some great people and organizations they’d like to connect with and have learned more about the other nonprofits in the area,” SAVCO President Jack Ross said. “This grew out of an open house we used to do around this time of year … It’s the same idea and it’s a casual way to get people together.”
There’s no fee to attend and included with the chili is cornbread. Attendees can expect a casual, family-friendly environment complete with thee free chili tasting, a slide show highlighting SAVCO’s work, nonprofit networking along with an open house of local nonprofits and even a chili trivia contest. Prizes include blue ribbons for the cooks in each category and, of course, bragging rights.
While proceeds won’t be collected at this event, SAVCO has a long history of supporting groups like Accord Hospice, local food pantries, veteran services and student scholarships. Those funds are often raised at SACVO’s annual golf tournament, scheduled this year for Friday, Sept. 27.
“We’ve donated to a number of the groups attending,” Ross said. “In some cases, we collaborate directly. For example, a few of our volunteers work with Accord Hospice [of Sedona] to visit veterans under their care.”
The cookoff currently has entries in both the nonprofit and open categories, and submissions will be judged by Emerson Theater Collaborative actress, president and producer Camilla Ross and Sedona Red Rock News reporter Joseph K. Giddens.
“While I’m looking forward to getting some grub — and I add hot sauce to everything, including recently trying ice cream with a dash of Sriracha — the downside of eating spicy foods in public as a bald man is that people are probably going to see me sweat,” Giddens said.
“I’m just looking forward to the event itself. It’s always a good time when people get together and create community. And I think that’s something that Sedona needs to be known for,” Camilla Ross said.
“Think your chili has what it takes?” the SAVCO event description reads. “Anyone can enter. Bring your best red-hot recipe and compete for bragging rights, prizes and the glory of supporting a great cause.”
Those interested in entering the cookoff should contact Jack Ross at (860) 705-2163 or president@savco.org. For more information about SAVCO, visit savco.org.
